- Low-cost tool for dehorning calves
- Removes horn bud with ring of hair to prevent regrowth
- Different sizes for calves up to 8 months and up to 15 months
- Barnes technique: align blade with horn base, crush vessel to seal
Economy Barnes dehorners offer a simple dehorning solution for calves up to about 15 months old. They are a low-cost tool used to scoop out the whole horn bud, ideally also with a ring of hair at the base to ensure prevention of regrowth. Jaws are from the same former, and are flared to meet the handle. Do not make a perfect cut at all times. Use 32cm tool for calves up to eight months, and 42cm tool for calves up to 15 months.
Barnes Dehorning Technique: Technique for using Barnes dehorners is to place the Dehorner so the widest part of the cutting blade is aligned with the widest part of the base of the horn. Close the handles of the instrument and place it on the calf’s horn. Dehorning is completed by pressing the instrument firmly against the calf’s head and swiftly opening the handles of the dehorner. A twisting motion, when the handles are nearly completely opened, causes vascular spasm (narrowing of the blood vessel reducing blood flow) and helps crush and seal the vessel before final cut through the skin). Use a pair of forceps to pull the bleeding vein to stop the bleeding. If it is still bleeding, use a blood stop powder or a hot iron to cauterise the wound. Disinfect dehorner between animals. Monitor animals for infection for the next 2 weeks.
